Moving-picture camera



G. RAMSEY.

MOVING PICTURE CAMERA.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1917.

Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

'2 SHEETSS HEET 1.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, 1917.

Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

GEORGE RAMSEY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 01 COLUMBIA.

MOVING-PICTURE CAMERA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

Application filed m 7, 1917. Serial No. 179,189.

To all whom 2' t may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnoncn RAMsnY, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of the city of \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented certa n new and useful Improvements in Moving-Picture Cameras,of which the following is a speck fication. h

This invention relates broadly to moving picture apparatus, and moreparticularly to mechanism for intermittently moving the film in takingor projecting moving pictures.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a method andmechanism for producing a very high speed movement of the film inchanging from one picture interval to another.

Another and primary object of the present invention comprises the methodand mechanism of intermittent-1y moving the film by combined pushing andpulling action of the portion of the film being moved.

A still further and equally important object of the present inventioncomprises the method of and apparatus for producing a very rapidmovement of the film during the change of picture intervals and whereinthe rapidity of movement is independent of the period of time betweenpicture changes, and wherein the film is subject to both pushing andpulling forces.

Other and further objects of the present invention will in part beobvious and will in part be pointed out hereinafter in the specificationfollowing by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like partsare designated by like characters throughout the several figuresthereof.

Figure 1 is an extended perspective view, more or less diagrammaticillustrating portions of the operative structure.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a portion of the device.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the tension spring Fig. 7 is a detailsectional view part of the coiled pulling spring.

In the moving icture art wherein a series of pictures are ta en upon astrip of film the period of time necessary for movement of the film,individual picture length intervals, is a dead loss so far as theeffective taking or projecting of pictures is concerned. Obviously it isnecessary to move the film individual picture intervals so thereforethis period of time is an essential factor in operation. If it werepossible to reduce this period of time to substantially zero, then allof the time periods could be utilized in exposing or projecting thepictures. The more nearly this ideal condition can be approached themore effective is the takin or projecting apparatus. An important Tactorin approaching this ideal condition is the matter of inertia of parts.The stopping and start ing of the various masses requires considerab eenergy which can only be expended during the eriod of movement. Largemasses cause vi ration and vibration disturbs ideal conditions foreither taking or projecting. It has, been proposed in the art to movethe film by stormg energy in a loop in the film through while theprojected or exposed portion of the film is held stationary, thenreleasing the stationary portion of the film and permitting the energystored in the film to snap the film forward. This produces a rapidmovement of the film, and it has been proposed to increase this movementby applying springs over the loop formed. In such constructions it hasbeen usual to provide pins to hold the stationary part in register.These pins are liable to be received in the same perforations each timethe film is used and ordinarily these pins are withdrawn. under the fullforce utilized to move the film. These conditions may tend to producewear on the film.

The present invention comprises an improvement on the known prior art inthat theenergy stored in the film, as previously explained, is augmentedby additional energy which tends to pull the film forward at the sameinstant the energy in the film and tension springs tends to push thefilm forward thereby both pushing and pulling simultaneously on asection of the film. Mechanism for holding the film stationary maycomprise devices movable with the film when the film is released. Morespecifically the invention may be embodied in an apparatus, one form ofwhich may comprise loo forming devices to store energy in the fi m, andsprocket wheels adapted to be held stationary by a suitable escapementmechanism with restrained energy normally tending to rotate the sprocketwheels. When the escapement mechanism releases the sprocket wheels forrotative movement the restrained energy is effective to turn thesprocket wheels thereby to pull forward on the film and thus augment theenergy stored in the film. The energy pushing the film may be stillfurther increased by utilizing springs that are flexed when the loop isformed and apply pressure to the formed loop. By the above describedapparatus it will be seen that the method of moving the film may becarried out as specified to uickly produce picture interval changes. sthe film moves at a high rate of speed, it is desirable that thestopping of the film take place without injury to the film, and to thisend air may be trapped under the loop formed and the trapped aircontrolled in such manner that the film will be quickly, thoughgradually, checked and come to rest with a minimum shock.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the drive wheel 1 (Fig. 6)is mounted upon a suitable stud and may be rotated by the crank handle 2and meshes with the gear 3 which drives the drive film sprocket 4' thatengages the perforations in thefilm 5 that is led from a suitable supplyand is maintained against the upper sprocket 4 by means of the guide 6which is pivoted to the frame as at 7 and is held in position by theU-shaped sprin 8'. The film passes between the sproc et 4 and a springpressed 7 idler roll 9 over the frame 10 and beneath a pair of tensioncoiled springs 11 which are anchored at one end to a post 12 and at theother end to an adjustment shaft 14. The tension of these springs may beregulated by turningthe adjustment shaft 14 through the kerfed head .15,and locked in adjusted po sition b means of the set screw 16, the headof whic is adapted to fit within recesses 17 in the disk 18. The filmpasses outwardly over a pair f light hollow feed sprocket wheels 19 thatare rigidly mounted upon the light hollow shaft 20. The film continuesbeyond the frame 10 in'the form of a lower loop and over the take-upsprocket 21, then beneath the lower guide 22 that is pivoted,

as at 24, and is held against the sprocket 21 b means of the 'U-shapedspring 8. The fi m then continues to a sultable take-up windingmechanism. The drive wheel 1 'meshes with the gear25 that drives thetakeup sprocket 21, and the gear 25 meshes with a gear spring. drum 26.This gear spring drum carries a convolute coiled spring. 27 that ismounted upon a hub 28 that is secured to the hollow shaft 20 by means ofa through screw bolt 29. This hub 28 extends outwardly through the geardrum 26 and is provided with a kerf to permit the removal of the screwbolt 29 and the tightening or adjustment of the tension of the convolutespring 27 in its relation between the hollow shaft and the spring drum26, it being understood that one end of the convolute spring 27 issecured to the drum 26 as by means of the screw 30. Preferably the endof the hub 28 is provided with an extra pair of openings to receive thescrew bolt 29 thereby permitting ninety degree adjustments of the hubrelative to the hollow shaft 20. The spring 21 may be housed within thespring drum by means of a cover plate 31 that is secured in positionthrough the agencies of the screw 30 and a similar com-.

panion'screw 32. This coverplate 31 may carry a control cam 34 uponwhich rolls a pilot roll 35. This pilot roll is carried by an escapementframe 36 which is pivoted to the main frame as by means of the studscrew 37. The tension spring 38 is anchored at one end to the main frameand at the other end to the escapement frame thereby maintaining thepilot roll at all times in contact with the cam 34. An escapement lationof the faces on the cam 34 is such that when the drive sprocket wheel 4has rotated to feed a picture interval of film to form a loop (asindicated in dotted linesin Fig. 6) the spring drum 26 has been rotatedsufiiciently to cause the control cam 34 carried thereby to oscillatethe escapement frame 36 thereby permitting the energy stored in theconvolute spring 27 to rotate the shaft 20 the angular distance betweenthe faces on the arms 40 of the escapement wheel 39. It is to be notedthat the drive wheels 1, 3, 25 and 26, have a continuous rotativemovement during the operation of the device thereby storing energy inthe loop in the film, in

conditions, but it is preferred that the diameter of all film sprocketsbe the same, and that the cog wheels, 3, 25, and 26 be of a commondiameter.

Referring nowmore particularly to Fig. 6 it is noted a plurality ofslots 46 are rovided in the side frame 47 and are contro ed by slottedgates 48 so that the slots 46 may be opened or closed at the will of theoperator. When the slots 46 are open the air trapped between the frame10 and the loop A may escape outwardl through the slots and byadjustment of t e gates 48 the air may be trapped under the film andform a cushion for checking the inertia of the film. It is desirablethat the air beneath the loop escape to a certain extent and theperforations in the film, as well as the slots 46, may" be utilized forthis purpose. Where it is desired to more efficiently trap the air underthe loop there may be provided a pair of flexible guides or coverscomprising fiat strips 49 anchored to the post 12 and extending underthe springs 11, thereby covering and closing the perforations in thelooped ortion of the film, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

hese strips may be of polished steel or other suitable material, andthey perform the further useful function of comprising shoes upon whichthe coiled springs 11 ride, thereby reducing the friction between thesprings and the film and thus reducing the wear both on the springs andon the film.

Realizing that the ,method herein described and the apparatus hereinillustrated are susceptible of change and variation without departingfrom the scope of the present invention, I desire that the disclosureherewith be consideredas illustrative and not in the limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a moving picture instrument, an intermittent feed comprising incombination, means to hold a portion of film stationary, devices forfeeding another portion of film toform a loop to store up energy capableof pushing forward the stationary portion of the film, mechanism forstoring up energy capable of pulling forward the stationary portion ofthe film, and means for releasing the stationary portion of the film andpermitting the stored up energy to move the portion of the film that washeld stationary.

2. In a moving picture instrument, devices for producing an intermittentfilm feed and comprising in combination, means to hold a portion of thefilm stationary, means for continuously feeding an adjacent portion offilm and storing energy capable when released of quickly pushing forwardthe stationary part of the film, mechanism for storing energy capablewhen released of quickly ulling forward the stationary portion of t efilm, and means for releasing the 4. In the moving picture art,mechanism for intermittently moving a portion of film, means for storinglatent energy capable of pushing forward a portion of the film, means orstoring latent energy ca able of ulling forward the same portion offilm, amfmechanism for intermittently causing the latent energy. tobecome active potential ener capable of moving said portion of the filmpredetermined picture length intervals.

5. In a moving picture instrument, in combination, a lens, holding meansfor maintaining a portion of film stationary, devices for feedin aedetermined picture length of film while t e first mentioned portion isstationary, devices to cause the fed portion to push the first mentionedportion forwarda predetermined picture length when the holding means isreleased, and mechanism capable of operating the holding means tosimultaneous y pull the first mentioned portion forward when the holdingmeans is re-.

leased.

6. In a moving picture instrument, a lens, holding devices to maintainan effective portion of'the film stationary, feeding means to feedanother portion of the film a predetermined picture length and to storelatent energy in the film while the effective portion is stationary,mechanism for storing latent energy capable of pulling the effectiveportion of the film forward, and means to release the effective portionwhen a picture length has been fed forward b the feeding means and topermit the store latent energy to become potential energy for moving theeffective portion by simultaneous application of pushing and pullingforces.

7. In a moving plcture instrument, a lens, holding means tointermittently hold a portion of the film stationary, in combinationwith devices to form a loop in' another portion of the film and to storelatent energy in said loop, means to store energy capable of causing theholding means to assist in the movement of said portion of the film, anddevices to release said holding means when a predetermined amount offilm has been formed into said loop and to permit the stored energy toquickly move predetermined portions of the film adjacent the focus ofthe lens by simultaneously applying pushing and pullingforces thereto.

forces acting simultaneously on the portion of the film adjacent thefocus of the lens to move this portion of film a predetermined distance.Y

9. In a moving picture instrument, mechanism for moving the efiectiveportion of the film suitable picture lengths, said mechanism comprisingmeans to hold the effective portion of the film stationary, devices forstoring energy in another portion of the film, means for storing energycapable of operating the holding means to cause the holding means tomove the effective portion of the film, and devices for releasing theholding means and rendering the stored energy efi'ective to operate. asushing and pulling forces for quickly movlng the effective portion ofthe film predetermined p1c ture length intervals.

10. In a moving picture apparatus, means to apply forces tending to pushforward a predetermined portion of film, means to restrain the movementof the film during a predetermined interval, and devices to applypulling forces simultaneously with the pushforces to pull forward thesame said portion of film.

11. In a moving picture machine, means to apply compressive forces to apredetermined portion of the film, means to restrain the movement ofsaid film during a predetermined interval, and means to apply tension tothe same portion of the film when the compressive forces are active inmoving the film.

12. In a moving icture machine, means to form a loop in t e film andapply compressive forces to a predetermined portion of a film, devicesto hold the film stationary during the forming of the loop, the holdingportion of said devices having a movement in the direction or travel orsaid film when the compressive forces are released and active to movethe portion of the film held stationary.

13. In a moving picture apparatus, an exposure opening, means to form aloop on one side of said exposure opening and to store energy in thefilm'capable when active of pushing forward the portion of film adjacentthe exposure opening, and means operative upon the film on the otherside of the exposure opening to pull forward the film when the energystored in the film is ellective and active in producing linear movementof the portion or" the ii in cent the exposure opening.

14. In a moving picture apparatus, an exposure opening, means on oneside of said opening to push the film past said opening, means on theother side of said opening to simultaneously tension and pull upon theportion of film being pushed, and devices to restrain the operation ofboth of said means during a predetermined interval.

15. In a moving picture machine, an exposure opening, means to producean intermittent movement of the film adjacent the exposure opening andto produce a rapid acceleration of the film during such movement,incombination with devices independent of the said means to graduallystop the movement of the film at the end of each movement interval toprevent injury to the film.

16. In a moving picture machine, an exposure opening, means toproduce-an intermittent movement of film past said exposure opening andto produce a rapid acceleration of the film during such movement, incombinat-ion with devices to form an air cushion for stopping the filmat the end of each movement interval.

17 In a moving picture machine, an exposure opening, means to produce anintermittent movement of the film past said exposure opening and toproduce a rapid acceleration of the film during such movement, incombination with devices to form an air cushion for checking themovement of the film at the end of each movement interval, and means toadjust the effectiveness of said air cushion.

18. The method of intermittently feeding a moving picture film, whichconsists in holding a portion of the film stationary; forming a loopadjacent the stationary portion; storing up energy capable of pushingthe stationary portion forward; storing up energy capable of pulling thestationary portion forward; then releasing the stationary portion andcausing the stored energy to act simultaneously as pushing and pullingforces to move the stationary portion forward a predetermined distance.

19. The method of intermittently feeding a portion of fihn, whichconsists in periodically holding a ortion of film stationary; thenforcibly feeding an adjacent portion of film in the direction of itslength a distance sufiicient to accumulate a surplusage of film equal tothe distance the film is to be fed forward; storing energy during theaccumulation of the surplus length of film, which energy is ca able ofpushing the film forward; simu taneously storing energy capable ofpulling the film forward; and then releasing the portion held andpermitting the stored energy toact as pushing and pullpicture lengthintervals.

20. The method of intermittently feeding picture strip film whichconsists in storing u energy in ,the film by deformation of the fi 111;simultaneously storing u ener capable of pulling forward the fi m; anthen utilizing said ener as pushing and pulling forces to advance t efilm a'unit distance.

21. The method of intermittently feeding picture strip film whichconsists 1n storin up energy in the film by bending of the film;

simultaneously storingup ener capable of pulling forward the fi m; anthen ermitting t e stored energ to act on the lm simultaneously at two paces to advance the film a unit distance.

22. The method of intermittently feeding picture strip film, whichconsists 1n applymg intermittently a compressive force to the film inthe directlon of its length and simultaneously applying pulling force'tothe same rtion of the film in the direction of its en h whereby the filmadvances under pus ing and pulling forces individual 23. In a movingpicture instrument, a lens, holding means for maintaining a portion offilm stationary adjacent the focus of the lens, devices for feeding apredetermined picture length of film while the first mentioned portionisstationary, means to cause the fed portion to push the first mentionedortion forward a predetermined pidture ength when said hol ing means isreleased, said holding means comprising devices having movement'with thefilm when the fed portion is pushed forward.

. 24. In a movlng picture instrument, in combination, means to storelatent energy in the film and devices to enable the latent energy tobecome potential energy for intermittently moving the film individualpicture lengths, said devices comprising film holdin means havingamovement in direction 0 travelof the film during a portion of the individual picture length movement.

25. In a moving picture instrument in combination, a feed sprocket wheelto feed forward a, portion of film to form a loop and store energy insaid loop capable of moving a portion of the film forwardan individualpicture len th interval, means for intermittently holdmg a portion ofthe film stationary, said means comprising holding devicessimultaneously and coincidently movable in the direction of movement ofthe film when the film moves.

26. In a moving picture instrument, de vices for intermittently feedinga portion of film forward individual picture length in tervals, incombination with shock absorbing mechanism adapted to check the movementof the film at the end of eachpicture length movement.

27. In a moving picture instrument, devices for storing energy capableof moving ortions of film forward individual icture ength intervals, incombination w1th dev1ces for checking the movement of the intermittentlyfed film whereby the momentunkl)e (:if the moving portion is graduallyabsor 28. In a moving picture instrument, de-

g vices for intermittently moving a portion of film at high velocity, incombination with shock absorbing devices: for reventingvinjury to thefilm at the end 0? each moving interval.

29. In a moving picture instrument, devices for intermittently feeding a-ortion of film forward individual picture ength intervals, incombination with shock absorbing mechanism adapted to check the movementof the film at the end of each picture length movement, and means forcontrolling the effective operation of said shock absorbing mechanism.

30. In a moving picture instrument, devices for storing energy capableof moving portions of film forward individual picture length intervals,in combination with devices for checking the movement of theintermittently fed film whereby the momentum of the moving portion isgradually absorbed, and mechanism for controlling the effectiveoperation of said devices.

31. In a moving picture instrument, mechanism to form a loop, means tostore latent energy in said loop, said means comprising coiled tensionsprings and members between said springs and sa1d film whereby thetension of sa1d springs is efi'ectively transmitted to said film in suchmanner as to obviate the movement of the film from wearing said springs,in combination with devices to enable the latent energy to becomepotential energ for intermittently moving the film individual picturelengths.

32. In a moving picture instrument, in combination, devices to form aloop in a portion of film, tension members placed under stress duringthe formation of said loop, wear strips extending over said loop and inoperative'connection with said tension members whereby the forces ofsaid tension members are transmitted to said loop through said wearstrips.

33. In a moving picture instrument, the combination of devices to form aloop in a film and to store energy capable of moving a portion of filmforward individual picture length intervals, said devices comprisingcoiled springs and shoes beneath said springs and over said loop wherebydirect contact betziveen said springs and said film is obviate i3 neeeee 34. In a moving picture instrument, means "to store latent energycapable of pushing a. portion of thediim forward, said means comprisingasuitable tension member, and ad- 5 justment devices to regulate thenormal tension on said tension member, devices to store latent energycapable of pulling the said portion of the film forward, said devicescomprising a suitable spring means for adjusting the normal tension OIsaid 5 ring, in combination with means for enab ing the stored energy tobecome potential energy for intermittently moving the said portion offilm individual picture length intervals.

Gnonen RAMSEY.

